Daily Scripture

Scripture:

Ezra 6:7-8, 12b, 14–20
Luke 8:19–21

Reflection:

While studying Church Law at Catholic University of America, I had a classmate from Tanzania who was memorable for a great many reasons. An endearing quality embodied a completely at home approach to new discoveries.  He always began with the question: “How can this be ?”  Whenever he was confronted with something new, he began with this question and followed the pathways until he came to some deeper understanding of the concept or issue and settled into a new way of seeing it and a new sense of peace with the idea.  Today’s scriptures invite us to consider the very same reality in our time and in our lives.

How can this be?  In Ezra, we see that the remnant of the Jewish people have received permission to return to their homeland after decades of servitude and exile.  Not only have they returned to ancestral lands, they are invited to revitalize their covenantal life with God by rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem with the pagan government paying for it.  A new order, unfamiliar to this next generation of the Jewish faith, has been born.  They will need to follow divine guidance to discover a deeper understanding of God’s design in this and achieve a new peacefulness with God’s direction for them as a people and as individuals.

How can this be?  We have a very brief but loaded selection from Saint Luke’s gospel for today’s reflection.   It seems straight forward enough.  Jesus is teaching.  His family shows up to see Him.  We have the pronouncement that insists that His family is those who hear the Word of God and act on it.  Those who heard this may well have been completely shocked, asking how this could be.  Why would He dishonor His family like this ?   Minds had to be reeling and tongues had to have started wagging.  With a second look, however, we might discover something new, something intentional on the part of Jesus.  With this simple statement, Jesus has created an entirely new reality, a new world order and a new way of seeing and understanding relationships.  Jesus has redefined the concept of “family”.  No longer is “family” caused by or limited by blood lines.  Family is now defined as a faith bond.  Family is now completely open to include all who hear the Word of God and act upon it.  By no means is Jesus rejecting His mother and family members.  After all, do we know of anyone other than Mary who more openly and readily heard the Word of God in her life and acted upon it?  Not likely.  Mary is at the heart of this new reality, this expanded concept of the family tree.

How can this be?  Jesus’ redefined understanding of family is not simply a nice idea to be kept warm and dusted off from time to time.  It has implications for today’s realities.  We all run into those moments when we are asked to see things in a new light, look for a deeper or new understanding of an idea or a set of circumstances.   We are asked by both Ezra and Luke today to sit with it awhile, pray over it and bring the received Word of God to bear upon it.  And then act on it.  I recently was engaged in a discussion with a group of very fine people who were heavy into the migration of peoples issue we are all so familiar with these days.  Some expressed what politicians have been offering on the subject but honestly, not many found their comments helpful to understanding.  Thirty second clips are offered to incite emotion rather than thoughtfulness on an issue.  Others reflected upon their own ancestors coming to American shores and saw them as somehow different from today until someone pointed out that in those days there was a open welcome mat out for immigrants – no quotas, no conditions, no requirements, and no monetary costs.   If you could get here, you could stay.  We have become far more restrictive and selective today.  I was delighted with how the session ended.  We decided that we ought to look to the Scriptures for insight on how to deal with the neediest among us and the poor.  We decided to look to the teachers of our faith in the encyclicals and instructions of the Holy Fathers since St. Pope John XXIII ( Pacem in Terris) and continuing on  to our own Conference of Catholic Bishops’ statements on immigration.  We have over fifty years of profound teachings on the divinely given human rights regarding the migration of peoples.  As we are asked to deal with the migration of peoples into our own country, we might be asking, “How can this be?”  As we experience through television news  the pain and suffering of the hundreds of thousands fleeing violence and death in the Middle East and the European countries’ efforts to cope with it, we are beset with the question, “How can this be ?”  Perhaps we must go back to the Scriptures and the teachings of our Church, receive God’s Word anew into our hearts and lives, pray over it and then act upon it.  Perhaps we are being invited to see relationships anew – who exactly are my family members and how am I to deal with this expanded family tree?

 

Fr. Richard Burke, CP, is a member of St. Paul of the Cross Province. He lives at St. Ann’s Monastery in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Scripture:

Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13
Matthew 9:9-13

Reflection:

Today we celebrate the life and accomplishments of Matthew, an early disciple and apostle of Jesus.  There is an interesting blend of diversity and similarity in his life, that is apparent in the bible readings chosen by the church for the day.

In the first place, there is the question of his name.  More generally known as Matthew, yet the name Levi seems to have been applied to him by one of the evangelists, Mark.  No other apostle seems to have gone by a set of different names, with the possible exception of Nathanael/Bartholomew.  Another instance of this interplay between similarity and diversity associated with Matthew is his occupation.  He was a tax collector, a pursuit in life somewhat different from that followed by several of the other apostles of Jesus, who were fishermen.  And, in his trade, he would have been pursuing a “less honorable” source of income than they—the fate of all such government workers down through the ages, but especially distasteful to Jewish society, for a Jew on the Roman payroll.  And he didn’t seem inclined to downplay that distinctiveness of his when, accepting Jesus’ call to follow Him, he threw a party for Jesus, of course, but also for his own friends and associates, among whom were his fellow tax collectors, as the gospel today makes clear.

And so, perhaps in an effort to continue a presumably lifelong effort at finding some acceptance in his own Jewish community, he subsequently proceeded, during the years following his association with Jesus as His follower, to write a gospel about Him, in which he emphasized how the work and ministry that Jesus set about doing was, in many ways, an extension or development of mainline Judaism, and not a radical departure from what practicing Jews believed and committed themselves to.  Early on, Matthew may have seen his discipleship of Jesus as a way of strengthening his Jewish rootedness and overcoming any repugnance some of his fellow Jews may have felt toward him for his Roman connections.

Against this background it is helpful to reflect on St. Paul’s words today, apparently from a prison cell, addressed to the church community he created in Ephesus.  Perhaps the church today chooses his remarks as an appropriate way of appreciating what Matthew had to face, during a good part of his life, in pursuing an off-putting trade, and of ingratiating himself with a community of his own people finding him somewhat unacceptable.  For St. Paul makes a touching appeal to the Ephesian church he founded to find some fellowship among themselves, given all the things holding them together, that their common belief in Christ Jesus maintained: one Lord, one faith, one baptism.  And he goes on to point out how, in the church community at Ephesus, even though there was a variety of ministries and functions: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, such diversity was quite compatible with a basic unity binding them all together in Christ.

Paul’s words are apt for remembering the kind of experiences someone like Matthew had to undergo, and for explaining the particular kind of emphasis he gave to the gospel he wrote for future believers: an account stressing the continuity between discipleship of Jesus and the Jewish heritage out of which it flowed.  Matthew had his “fill” of being different, and was anxious to establish bonds of relationship with those who held him at arm’s length.  In many ways this was Paul’s concern in writing this letter to the Ephesian church.  And it corresponds to an obvious concern of Pope Francis regarding those persons kept on the fringes of church life, as he fashions his appeals for the alienated, the rejected and the outsider to “come back in”.

 

Fr. Sebastian MacDonald, C.P. is a member of the Passionist formation community at Catholic Theological Union, Chicago.

Scripture:

Wisdom 2:12, 17-20
James 3:16-4:3
Mark 9:30-37

Reflection:

Do you get it?  A lot of people don’t.  It seems the disciples, who were travelling through Galilee with Jesus and being taught by Jesus himself, weren’t getting it either.  Jesus was teaching them that to accomplish what he was sent to do, he would be handed over to his enemies and killed…and rise on the third day.  Mark tells us they didn’t understand.  And, it seems they filled in the time by arguing about who was the greatest!  I suppose many of us do something quite similar if we don’t like what we’re hearing.  We refuse to understand and distract ourselves with something much less important.

But Jesus doesn’t think that what they’re talking about is not important.  Rather, he takes their desire for greatness very seriously and sits them down and talks to them about what makes someone great.  He says that to be first means to serve all the others.  He goes on to say that their openness to a child is a measure of their openness to God Himself.  I suspect that the disciples were a bit baffled by what Jesus said.  It would be a safe bet that the disciples had something else in mind when they were talking about “who is the greatest.”  And yet, Jesus models what he has been teaching by his self gift.  He shows that greatness is about giving oneself for others.

So, let me come back to my first question.  Do we get it?  Often enough it seems that many of us do spend a lot of time and energy doing our best to climb to the top, accumulating as much as we can, and wanting others to see us as successful and significant people.  Of course, as the disciples lived out their lives, they did, indeed, become great, especially by Jesus’ definition of greatness.  Perhaps today, we can ask God to keep working on us and help us model our lives more on more on the life of Jesus.

 

Fr. Michael Higgins, C.P. is the director of Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center, Sierra Madre, California.

Scripture:

1 Timothy 6:13-16
Luke 8:4-15

Reflection:

After saying this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.” Then his disciples asked him what the meaning of this parable might be. He answered, “Knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God has been granted to you. Luke 8: 8 -10

During these last few weeks, the Gospel according to Luke, which we have been reading at our daily Masses, has been given us glimpses of Jesus in ministry. It is a Jesus who teaches us the beatitudes, who heals on the Sabbath, who chooses his apostles and who forgives the public sinner. We see Jesus as his best. His is the Messiah, the Teacher, indeed, the Personification of the Mercy of God.

Jesus loves to teach in parables. Parables are very short stories that challenges us greatly. In each of these parables are insights that will open our eyes and hearts into the very being of God: the God who Loves, the God who Forgives, the God who Invites us into communion. We begin to see that there is no communion with God unless there is communion with our brothers and sisters, just because we all share the same God and Creator. By means of Jesus’ parables, we begin to understand more profoundly Jesus the Messiah, Jesus the Savior of the world, Jesus, the Son of God!

Today, Pope Francis will land in Cuba and then continue on to the United States, and begin doing what Popes do: follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Pope Francis will preach. He will preach the Joy of the Gospel. He will say, as we heard a few days ago during one of the weekday Gospels, “Blessed are you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours.” (Luke 6:20) He will reach out to those with withered hands and hearts, and heal them. He will receive the public sinner and those whose holiness are only known to God, who knows all things in heaven and earth. He will talk in parables and we will not understand. He will speak plainly and we will still not understand. For “the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

As with Jesus, some people will love Pope Francis. His words will be filled with love, consolation and compassion. They will also be challenging, thought-provoking and stimulating. Thus, some people will not like him at all. The Pope’s message has already caused many to murmur and for some, even, to turn away.

The Pope will speak the words that he will need to speak. They will be words that will be written down and treasured for many years to come. There will also be words that will be pondered within our hearts as soon as they are spoken.

Let us open our hearts and minds to hear what is being said by Pope Francis. And let us pray daily for our brother, the Pope, Pope Francis. May we give him a warm and prayerful welcome.

 

Fr. Clemente Barrón, C.P. is a member of Christ the King Community in Citrus Heights, California. 

Scripture:

1 Timothy 4:12-16
Luke 7:36-50

Reflection:

A certain Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him, and he entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. Luke 7:36

As the Evangelist Luke begins this account of a home visit that Jesus is making, in today’s Gospel, we are unaware of the drama that is about to unfold. With these simple words, Luke is letting us know that Jesus is again entering a home for yet another dinner, at the invitation of prominent dignitary by the name of Simon. There is no hint of what is truly happening as Jesus enters this home, and what was behind this “invitation” to Jesus. What takes place truly surprises us.

Many of us have been caught in social situations that we find “difficult.” I don’t know how many times people have asked me about going to social events, like weddings, after they have been invited, knowing that the welcoming will be missing and that those who invited you will probably be rude. We dread being put on the spot and we dread being put into a situation that may provoke us into reactions that may make us lose control. We would rather avoid them.

Jesus probably knew that this dinner invitation was not extended from the heart, but from a position of social advantage. Simon may have wanted to show his social circle that his money and position was prominent enough to bring Jesus into his home. But Simon was just about to find out that inviting Jesus into your home and having him recline at table with you is not enough. He needed to welcome Jesus as a loving friend worthy of all of the signs of welcome that are extended to even strangers. What Simon thought was going to be a social triumph, turned into a social disaster for him.

As the meal progressed, a woman who had no place at Simon’s table found a place in Jesus’ heart. Known as a public sinner, this woman may have had a prior encounter with Jesus that changed her life completely. Maybe she was present at the Sermon on the Plains, which took place a chapter before in Luke’s Gospel. Her conversion was total. Jesus’ words changed her life. She was no longer going to live a life of dependency on addiction and sin. She was turning over her life to God. She kissed Jesus’ feet, washed them with her tears and anointed him with precious perfume that she no longer needed.

What a contrast to Simon! He didn’t receive Jesus with a kiss of welcome, did not offer him water for his tired feet and did not anoint him with the common oil of welcome. And Luke, the master of irony, has Simon thinking: if only Jesus knew what kind of woman this sinner was who was making such a display of affection for him! Well, Jesus did know. She was a sinner who turned her life around and now she was completely devoted to Jesus, her Savior. But Jesus also knew what kind of person Simon was.

So, Jesus did not hesitate entering into difficult social situations. They became occasions of healing for those who needed his loving presence there. We may want to rethink about being invited to attend difficult social situations. They are not really about us, but about the Grace of God!

 

Fr. Clemente Barrón, C.P. is stationed in Citrus Heights, California.

Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows

Scripture:

1 Timothy 3:1-13
John 19:25-27

Reflection:

No mother should have to experience what Mary did as she watched her Son die. Is the actuality worse than a mother can imagine?  Think of the women of the disappeared in Argentina not knowing how their loved ones died, or the pain of the mothers and wives of the men and boys of Srebrenica as the mass graves are dug up. It is often women who must live with the horror of war and violence.

Other gospel writers mention the presence of the women at Golgotha, but it is John who explicitly tells us that Mary and the beloved disciple stood by the cross and who gives us Jesus’ words: “Woman. behold, your son” and to the disciple whom Jesus loved: “Behold, your mother.”

Mary stood, “Stabat Mater” Her eyes must have been riveted on his face, her heart torn by sorrow. Then their eyes meet and Jesus spoke and gave Mary the beloved disciple as her son. Then, addressing the disciple: “Behold, your mother”.

Mary, may I appreciate you as my mother. May I go to you with my doubts and fears. May I confidently trust in your loving care for me. Help me to have a compassionate heart as I see Jesus suffering in the crucified of today.

Be with me always and at the hour of my death. Amen.

 

Fr. Michael Hoolahan, C.P. is on the staff of Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center, Sierra Madre, California.

 

 

Scripture:

Isaiah 50:5-9a
James 2:14-18
Mark 8:27-35

Reflection:

In reflecting on the readings for today, it occurred to me that we may at times be guilty of a “Goldilocks” mentality when it comes to our understanding of how God works. Somethings can appear too soft, I am supposed to offer mercy and forgiveness to my enemies—where is the backbone there! Why do I have to love those who do not love me back—what about my rights? Where is “my” justice?

Additionally, I am called to pick up my cross and die to myself? What about my goals and objectives, my plans for my life? Isn’t it my life after all? That is too hard.

So I look to the “just right” comfort and make the necessary adjustments to my theology. Then the bears arrive home and I am rudely awakened!

It seems to me that Peter is experiencing that mentality in today’s gospel-he has it all worked out.  He is in the presence of the Lord’s anointed—the Christ!  He has left everything at Jesus’ invitation and perhaps he expects to live out his life with Jesus-in the flesh, walking the dusty roads of Galilee bringing the good news. What a life! He receives a rude awakening following his rebuke of Jesus as he (Jesus) foretells his passion.

“Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

I doubt Peter’s self-image was to be an obstacle to Jesus’ ministry. Yet, throughout the gospels, Jesus is constantly “course correcting” Peter’s assumptions. In this particular text, Jesus leaves the conversation with Peter and summons everyone around him to offer a deeper context to his followers. Moving from his first invitation to: “Come after me and I will make you fishers of men” (Mk 1:17), he adds the invitation to “take up the cross”.  Like Goldilocks, might we wish to flee to safety?

The first line from Isaiah grabs the listener: “The Lord GOD opens—present tense, not passed—my ear that I may hear; and I have not rebelled……”  Our response to what God initiates is not a passive movement; rather, this represents a conscious effort to embrace God’s will in our lives. It offers little comfort in the context of “free from suffering and saving our own lives” yet; by its very bearing it offers the comfort of Mystery: God’s sustaining nearness.

The book of James suggests the difference for the Christian. It is not enough to wish our brothers and sisters goodwill—this is passive and not worthy of the cross bearer. Our call is to demonstrate our faith from our works; to be a Christ in the world offering God’s sustaining nearness. Prayer answered through our actions; those works are the fruit of our faith. May we be free to let go of our expectations for our lives when God is calling us to a deeper journey with him.

May we not settle for comfort and fall asleep but rather may God open our ear to hear the cries of the poor—blessed be the Lord!

 

Jean Bowler is a retreatant at Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center in Sierra Madre, and a member of the Office of Mission Effectiveness Board of Holy Cross Province.

Scripture:

1 Timothy 1:15-17
Luke 6:43-49

Reflection:

From the time we were young, we were always taught to act toward others how we would want them to act toward us.  Even if those actions toward us are evil, we are taught to forgive as Jesus did.  As Timothy stated in today’s reading, “Christ Jesus might display all his patience as an example for those who would come to believe in him for everlasting life.”  Even the person with hatred in his heart can, in time, open his heart to accept the grace and goodness of the love Jesus has for us.

In the gospel, Jesus speaks of the goodness or evil in our hearts,  “every tree is known by its own fruit.”  In the goodness of our hearts, we can be the source of goodness toward others.  But, if a person has only evil and hatred in their hearts, they are the source of evil and hatred toward others.   We see the goodness of the actions of others; we want to get to know them because of their goodness.  When we seek out the goodness in others is it our way of seeking Christ?

How is the foundation of our faith?  Is it strong enough to withstand any crisis or storm that seeks to shatter that faith, or will it be completely destroyed?  Can we allow ourselves to be enveloped in God’s grace knowing that his love for us will ultimately save us?  Who in our lives do we need to forgive?

 

Claire Smith is the director of communications at Holy Cross Province Development Office in Park Ridge, Illinois.